SportsAid runners lead outstanding fundraising effort through London Marathon

SportsAid’s 2019 London Marathon runners soaked up the adulation of the crowd as they crossed the finish line on The Mall, the race’s famous home stretch, on Sunday (28 April) afternoon – bringing to an end months of training, meticulous preparations and sacrifices! The 40 runners have so far managed to raise over £70,000 to help support the next generation of British sports stars.

Two SportsAid runners came in under three hours with Simon Bostock, who works as a Data Manager for TUI, the charity’s fastest runner. He finished in 2:51:48 while Susannah Gill, the reigning women’s champion of the World Marathon Challenge and current world-record holder, broke the three-hour barrier by over a minute as she crossed the line in 2:58:56.

Esme Ansley, sister of Olympic gold medallist Giselle, pushed hard to achieve an impressive time of 4:26:57. Esme had opted to run for SportsAid as the charity had helped her sister during the early stages of her hockey career. Andy Cole, who is a Royal Air Force officer and has now run the marathon for SportsAid on three separate occasions, finished in 4:42:44.

Mollie Gardner put in an outstanding effort to cover the distance in 4:03:48. Mollie, who is the Head of PE at Falkner House in Kensington, is currently the highest fundraiser for SportsAid with an incredible total of £11,602. She has supported the charity in recent years with her school by getting behind SportsAid Week and taking part in the #MyMiles Schools Challenge.

Kate Curran, who previously received a SportsAid award as a junior triathlete for Great Britain, secured a time of 3:25:06. Stefan Phillips (3:07:51), Iain Revolta (3:17:33), Ian Yates (3:31:53), Matt McElligott (3:42:55), Rick Christer (3:45:56), Marco Mildenberger (3:47:09), Jack Nealy (3:49:11) and Lorna Doggett (3:52:33) all came in under four hours.

A post-race celebration was held at the Royal Overseas League as runners were provided with refreshments, showers and sports massages by Hetty Hayden and SPS Ltd Education volunteers Biddy Mitchell, Nicola Crocker, Libby Mears and Lauren Chillington. The runners were congratulated by SportsAid athlete Ricky Lukatome. Tim Lawler, SportsAid’s Chief Executive, was also at the reception and spent time thanking all of the runners.

SportsAid has a special relationship with the London Marathon. Back in 1984, SportsAid, known then as the Sports Aid Foundation (S.A.F.), was selected as the first official charity of the London Marathon. SportsAid now receives places for the race through the Golden Bond scheme and the Charities Forum, and is looking to recruit runners for 2020.

Please email events@sportsaid.org.uk today if you would like to register your interest in running the London Marathon 2020 for SportsAid!

Here is the full list of Team SportsAid runners and their finishing times….

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SportsAid’s 2019 London Marathon runners soaked up the adulation of the crowd as they crossed the finish line on The Mall, the race’s famous home stretch, on Sunday (28 April) afternoon – bringing to an end months of training, meticulous preparations and sacrifices! The 40 runners have so far managed to raise over £70,000 to help support the next generation of British sports stars.

You can make a real difference to the future of British sport by supporting SportsAid Week 2019 this September! The week of fun and fundraising is open to everyone as Olympians, Paralympians, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), schools, universities, commercial organisations and individual supporters come together once again to give their backing to the next generation of talented young athletes.